How to Find the Right Pressure Washer Parts for Any Brand
Fast answer: To find the right cheap pressure washer part for any brand, identify the pump manufacturer and model number from the pump's own data plate — not the machine's cabinet badge — then match parts to that pump model's PSI, GPM, and plunger size. The cabinet brand (Hotsy, Mi-T-M, Karcher, Landa, Alkota, Simpson, and others) often isn't the pump manufacturer.
Why "Brand" Is the Wrong First Question
Most commercial and prosumer pressure washers are assembled from components sourced across a small number of pump manufacturers — Annovi Reverberi (AR), General Pump, Cat Pumps, Comet, and a handful of others supply pumps to dozens of machine brands. A Hotsy-badged machine might use a Hotsy-branded pump, a General Pump, or a Cat Pump depending on the series and year. Searching for parts by machine brand alone frequently returns the wrong result; searching by the pump's own model number is reliable every time.
Step-by-Step: Identifying Your Machine's Real Parts Source
- Find the pump — the metal or plastic housing the belt or engine shaft drives directly, usually mounted at the front or center of the frame.
- Locate its data plate — riveted, stamped, or stickered directly onto the pump body, not the machine's outer cabinet or control panel.
- Record the pump manufacturer's name and full model number, along with stated PSI and GPM.
- Cross-reference that model number, not the machine's brand name, when searching for seals, valves, unloaders, or a replacement pump.
If the data plate is missing or unreadable, the machine's original owner's manual (often available as a PDF from the manufacturer's support site) will list the pump make and model in its specifications or parts diagram section.
Common Pump Manufacturers by Machine Brand
| Machine brand | Pumps commonly used |
|---|---|
| Hotsy | Hotsy-branded pumps, General Pump, Cat Pumps (varies by series) |
| Mi-T-M | Mi-T-M-branded pumps, Annovi Reverberi (AR) |
| Landa | General Pump, Cat Pumps |
| Alkota | Alkota-branded pumps, General Pump |
| Kärcher | Kärcher-branded pumps (largely proprietary) |
| Simpson / Generac-based consumer units | AR, Comet |
Treat this table as a starting point, not a guarantee — always confirm against your machine's own data plate, since sourcing changes across production runs and series.
Parts That Are (Usually) Universal vs. Brand-Specific
- Nozzles — standard quick-connect nozzles fit almost any machine using the common 1/4" quick-connect plug; orifice size still must match your pump's GPM. See our nozzle guide.
- Hoses and fittings — largely universal by thread size (commonly M22), though some commercial machines use proprietary quick-connects.
- Pump seals, valves, and unloaders — brand- and model-specific. This is where matching the pump's exact model number matters most.
- Burner and heating components (hot-water units) — typically brand-specific and sometimes proprietary to the machine manufacturer even when the pump is a third-party unit.
OEM vs. Aftermarket Across Brands
For any brand, precision-machined components — pump heads, crankcases, valve bodies — are worth sourcing as OEM or a well-reviewed direct equivalent, since tolerances affect pressure holding and longevity. High-turnover wear items — seals, o-rings, unloader valves, nozzles — are widely and reliably available as aftermarket parts built to the same specification, typically at 30–50% below a dealer counter price. See our full parts buying guide for how to decide part by part, or our brand-specific Hotsy & Mi-T-M guide and Annovi Reverberi compatibility guide.
Browse our full parts catalog by category, or contact us with your pump's model number if you're not sure which brand's parts actually fit your machine.
Frequently Asked Questions
My machine is a brand I've never heard of — can I still find parts?
Usually, yes. Most lesser-known brands use pumps from the same handful of major manufacturers (AR, General Pump, Cat Pumps, Comet). Find the pump's own data plate and search by that model, not the machine's brand.
Is it risky to buy a part based on the machine brand instead of the pump model?
Yes — this is the most common cause of ordering the wrong part. Two machines under the same brand name can use entirely different pumps depending on series and year.
Where exactly is the pump's data plate usually located?
Directly on the pump housing itself — often near the manifold or on the crankcase — not on the machine's outer frame, cabinet, or control panel.